Della Battles

DELLA MATT SMITH BATTLES HER STORY On December 10, 1917, in Limestone County of Athens Alabama, God blessed Irene Jones Smith and Earl Smith with a baby girl; the first girl and fifth child of what would become a family with eleven children. Irene and Earl were sharecroppers, and they included the children with the work to be done, which meant that little Della went to work to be done, which meant that little Della had to go to work at an early age. Della was a workaholic before they came up with the word. She labored on the farm picking cotton, and attended Red Hill School, which was also Mount Nebo Church on the Hill. Down below, there was Shoal Creek, where everyone was baptized. Della was involved in church all of her life. She got an opportunity to go to the only high school within the city limits, Trinity High School, where she would go to school for a time, then go home to work the fields. After high school, she met George Battles at Nuberia Church, located near Limestone County. They were married and God blessed them with one baby girl. Annie Irene. The couple went about the business of being a family and decided to move into the city limits of Athens, Alabama in the early 1950’s. During this time, Della’s main concern was finding a way to support Ann through college. She kept her faith, however, and got a position at Athens College, where she worked with the dieticians. This happened a week after Ann started college at Alabama A&M. Della continued working, but made a life change – she moved to Nashville, Tennessee where her Aunt lived. She immediately got a job working at Browns Dinner Club, and then as a cashier at the Wharton School Cafeteria. Della began going back to school for courses in Gerontology. This began a twenty-five year career working with the elderly. All the while, Della continued taking care of their daughter Ann and her brother, Uncle Ket. During these twenty-five years, her immediate family grew to include a son-in-law, John, and two grandchildren, Marty and Michele. By now, Della, known as Ganna (named by her grandson), continued her career with the elderly by settling in as a Group Supervisor at Knowles Home, where she eventually retired at age 65. In 1988, Ganna moved to Dover, Delaware to care for her first great-grandchild, Jay. Since being in Dover, Ganna has made herself busy! She joined the Modern Maturity Center, began Reassurance Calling to people in need, volunteered at the Hospital Admissions office, was a Missionary Circle member at Calvary Baptist Church, and was a member of the Just Friends Help Group and the Eighty’s Club. Ganna’s Advice to Young People: Have a goal in mind Be Obedient and Listen to Your Parents Go to School and Stay in School! Ganna is survived by a sister, Mary Hamblin, daughter, Ann B. Martin (John), two grandchildren, John C. Martin, Jr. (Ronica) and Delna Michele Rush (LeRoy), five great-grandchildren, LeRoy T. Rush II, Teresa R. Rush, John C.P. Martin III, Joshua R.B Martin, and Courtney Ann Rush, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Della Battles

December 10, 1917 - January 27, 2013